Situated in the northeastern side of Kerala, Wayanad is a picturesque town. It lies cuddled in the laps of the Western Ghats, which boast of superior ridges, deep valleys and dense forests. It is a terrain which is lashed by rains now and then, and is known as a bio-diverse region. The thickly wooded hills and the evergreen forest make Wayanad a sought after tourist destination in Kerala.

Wayanad derived its name from 'Vayal Nadu' which means 'the land of paddy fields'. It was carved from the Kannur and Kozhikode districts in 1980. Wayanad has an interesting historical angle to itself. Archaeological records suggest that the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than three thousand years. Traces of well organized human life existing in this part of Kerala at least ten centuries before Christ indicate that civilization during the New Stone Age existed here. Edakkal Caves near Kalpetta are famous for pre-historic pictorial cave writings. There are human and animal figures and objects that were used by humans at that time. It is astounding to believe that Wayanad has been inhabited from so long.

Wayanad was ruled by Kings of the Veda tribe, Kings of Kottayam dynasty, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and the British. Wayanad was then called as 'Malabar'. The British started tea and cash crop cultivation in the region. Roads connecting Wayanad to Mysore and Ooty cut through dangerous slopes. Such a makeover was inviting to people from all parts of Kerala. The fertile forestlands yielded cash crops and Wayanad was suddenly a goldmine.

Culturally, Wayanad can be called a tribal town for most of the people of this town are tribal people (Adivasis) with a distinct culture that has been preserved since a long time. They practice age old customs even today and lead a nomadic life. Tribal groups like the Paniyas, Kurichiyans, Adiyas and the Kattunayakan reside here. Apart from the tribals, Jains that once migrated from Karnataka also have a fair population in Wayanad. Hindu, Muslims and Christians comprise the rest of the population.

Wayanad stands on the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau and has a very pleasant climate most of the time of the year. Agriculture being the main occupation, crops like pepper, plantain, cocoa, tea, coffee and vanilla are cultivated widely here. The staple crop however is rice. One can see rolling tea plantations on the slopes of the hills and green rice fields around the town.

Wayanad offers nature, leisure and religious tourism. The Chembra Peak offers mountaineering to the tourists, which is dangerous but thrilling. Chembra hill is the highest hill in Wayanad and it takes an entire day to reach the peak of the hill. Camping facilities are available on the peak and tourists can stay there for a day or two. Sleeping bags, canvases, hut, trekking instruments and guides are provided by the District Tourism Promotion Council. The view of Wayanad from the top of the hill is very amazing.

A Jain temple built in the 12th century, situated at Sultan Bathery, Wayanad is also worth a visit. Though it is not being maintained too well, the carvings on the entrance and on the inside are very impressive considering the time in which they were made. Tipu Sultan of Mysore used this temple for weaponry storage and hence this town got its name ‘Sultan Bathery’.

Towards the east of Sultan Bathery, 16 kilometers away is the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also known as the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Deer, Indian bison, tigers and mostly elephants can be spotted here. Peacocks and pea fowls are often seen here. There is varied bird life in this sanctuary. Elephant rides can be taken in this thick forest. Guides and vehicles can be hired.

Apart from the travel spots, the cuisine of Wayanad is impressive. The taste has a blend of Brahmin, Jain, Arab and Zamorin and it is exceptionally unique and sumptuous. Rice preparations dominate the diet and a full range of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes are offered here. Well connected to Bangalore and Mysore, Wayanad is gathering popularity as a rejuvenating tourist destination for the IT sector people.

With pre-historic carvings, breathtaking natural beauty, a wildlife sanctuary full of birds and animals, food that tickles your taste buds, tribal people with a distinct culture and what not, Wayanad is a package full of surprises.

Quick Reference

Wayanad is a small town full of natural beauty, rolling rice fields and coffee plantations along with a historical background. Caves having prehistoric pictorial writings have been found in Wayanad Traces of well organized human life existing in this part of Kerala at least ten centuries before Christ have been found here. There is a wildlife sanctuary, the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary at Wayanad which attracts a lot of tourists. Wayanad promotes adventure tourism which includes mountaineering and trekking in the deep forests.